• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Alert

Alert: Code Red Air Quality Health Advisory today, June 7. More Info

Alert

Program Alert: Storytimes Will “Take a Nap” from May 30 – June 19 More Info

Home - Arlington County Virginia - Logo
MENUMENU
  • Join Now
  • My Account
    • Login
    • Borrow, Renew, Return
    • Holds
    • About My Account
    • My eAccounts
  • Hours & Locations
    • All Hours & Locations
    • Holiday Closings
  • News
  • Contact Us

Arlington Public Library

MENUMENU
  • Search
      • Browse New
      • Browse All
  • Events
    • Arlington Reads
    • Featured Events
    • Calendar
    • On Demand Programs
  • eCollection
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    • Digital Magazines and Newspapers
    • Learning Tools
    • Research Tools
    • Streaming Video
    • All eCollection
  • Research
    • Research Portal
    • Research Tools A-Z
    • Local History
  • Library Services
    • Accessibility Services
    • For Book Lovers
    • Garden Tool Library
    • Maker
    • Meeting Rooms
    • Notary
    • Public Computers
    • Teleconnect Space
    • More Services
  • Join Now
  • My Account
    • Login
    • Borrow, Renew, Return
    • Holds
    • About My Account
    • My eAccounts
  • Hours & Locations
    • All Hours & Locations
    • Holiday Closings
  • News
  • Contact Us

A Day at the Beach

Post Published: July 29, 2008


Arlington Beach and Amusement Park opened May 30, 1923, on the Potomac River in the vicinity of the Long Bridge (the old Fourteenth Street Bridge).

The beach flourished until 1929 when it was bought by the Washington Airport Corporation to provide additional landing space.

In addition to a sandy beach, there were bath houses, a dance pavilion, merry-go-round, Ferris wheel, and many other amusement park features. The park also touted excellent parking facilities. Dancing was advertised as one of the chief attractions in the opening season.

Unfortunately, due to its location next to the airport, visitors to the beach were all too often witnesses to airplane accidents and fatalities. Aviation was in its early days and was a largely unregulated industry so such accidents were not uncommon.

The beach also served as a recreational site for many organizations holding annual picnics, etc. At one such event it was decided, as a “lark,” to “burn” someone at the stake. When the fire got out of hand, and the seat of the victim’s pants actually caught on fire, he was quickly untied and beat a hasty retreat to the river where he doused himself to put out the flames. In spite of this incident it was later reported in the newspaper that all had a very good time!

 

What About You?

Do you remember Arlington Beach? What other things did you do during the summer in Arlington? Let us hear from you!

 

July 29, 2008 by Web Editor Filed Under: Our Back Pages

Primary Sidebar

News

Alert: Code Red Air Quality Health Advisory today, June 7.

Arlington County is under a Code Red Air Quality … ... about Alert: Code Red Air Quality Health Advisory today, June 7.

Read More News

Operations Updates

Nap Time

Program Alert: Storytimes Will “Take a Nap” from May 30 – June 19

The Youth Services librarians will be at schools … ... about Program Alert: Storytimes Will “Take a Nap” from May 30 – June 19

See More Service Updates

Center for Local History

Link to Balloon Corps blogpost.

Union Army Balloon Corp

September 1861 - August 1863 While the first … ... about Union Army Balloon Corp

Read More Local History

Director’s Blog

Participants and "human books" conversing at Central Library. Photo credit Daniel Rosenbaum.

Director’s Message: Reflections on the Human Library

Arlington Public Library hosted a "Human Library" … ... about Director’s Message: Reflections on the Human Library

More Director's Blog

Recent Comments

  • Victoria Dale on Lustron Steel Homes in Arlington
  • Web Editor on OPERATIONS UPDATE: Regular Service Resumes Monday, Jan. 31
  • Gail Burnaford on OPERATIONS UPDATE: Regular Service Resumes Monday, Jan. 31

Footer

About Us

  • Mission & Vision
  • Center for Local History
  • News Room

Administration

  • Policies
  • Library Staff
  • Job Opportunities
  • Propose a Program

Support Your Library

  • Friends of the Library
  • Giving Opportunities
  • Donating Materials
  • Volunteer Opportunities

Our Mission

We champion the power of stories, information and ideas.

We create space for culture and connection.

We embrace inclusion and diverse points of view.

Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. YouTube. Flickr. Newsletters.

download appDownload the Library App

Arlington County | Terms & Conditions | Accessibility | Site Map
· Copyright © 2023 Arlington County Government ·